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The island of Coron is gaining in popularity as the secret of this Palawan island is out. The Underground River and El Nido are still hotspots of this part of the Philippines but Coron is rising fast. It’s understandable. The scenery is stunning, the snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping, and diving are phenomenal, and it’s a great spot to finish a holiday as there are direct flights to Manila and Cebu that allow connecting to an evening international flight.

While some of the sights are best seen when staying in the town of Coron, there’s nothing like a good boutique resort to end a holiday. Coron has a number of hotels in town (more on that at the end of this post) and a handful of resorts around the island that make the grade as Fleewinter selections. So, how do you pick between the best resorts in Coron? Having stayed at and visited countless hotels in the area, here’s my take.

TL;DR….

If you’re looking for a laid-back small resort oozing with Filipino charm and character with a reef to snorkel off shore and a patch of beach, El Rio y Mar is the best fit. For a luxurious, small resort feel with a great reef for snorkelling, the option of a private pool villa, and if you don’t mind a boat ride over open ocean, Two Seasons Coron Island Resort is for you. Looking for a place that’s family-friendly with a few secluded villas ideal for couples, a great beach, excellent snorkeling, stellar sunsets, and a half board option? Discovery Coron is your place. All have dive centres, non-motorized water sports equipment, spas, and excellent service – if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be on this list!

Two Seasons Coron Island Resort

Arguably the most luxurious of the resorts on this list, Two Seasons is reached by speedboat transfer from the town of Coron. This means the location is great if you want to do some of the more traditional sightseeing that takes place in the islands around the resort.  However, if the seas are rough, the transfer will be, too.

Bungalows and casitas are spread across the island and hill with buggy service available to any room, even those closest to the restaurant and reception area. Most rooms are comfortable for two and some are adults-only. All are spacious and well-appointed. Turndown treats appear nightly and drinking water is provided in glass bottles. The Island Tip and Sandbar Bungalows are fantastic for those seeking a private pool and ocean views. Families are accommodated in a different part of the resort where Hilltop Bungalows have two queen beds, ample space, and a table ideal for drawing, playing games, and keeping the kids occupied if the tropical heat gets to be too much or there’s a sudden burst of rain. For larger families, we can request one of these across from or next to a Mountain Bungalow to keep everyone close by.

The large swimming pool has the most discrete water slide I’ve ever seen and plenty of seating. There are more than enough beach chairs, especially as many people head out diving, snorkeling, or island-hopping during the day. If you’re spending the day at the resort, the pool bar will deliver a cold coconut, lunch, drinks, or snacks to a shaded table on the beach or your sun lounger. Snorkeling offshore is delightful with colorful clams, a healthy reef, plenty of fish, and warm, clear water.

The spa is serene and the treatments are excellent although be prepared to descend stairs to the treatment rooms. The small gym has what you need for a holiday workout including air conditioning – much appreciated in the tropics! Food has a somewhat fine dining element to it and if you’re vegetarian, you need to ask for a separate menu. There are plenty of Filipino offerings as well as international standards.

While Two Seasons has a five-star vibe, the price is more reasonable than you might expect, especially if booking well in advance.

Who is Two Seasons best for?

Anyone looking for a 5-star feeling who isn’t flying to Amanpulo, those who want a private pool villa in an adults-only stretch of the resort, families with young children who wish to share a room, those willing to tackle a few stairs and hills, and those who want some of the classic Coron sightseeing without staying in town.

Discovery Coron (a/k/a Club Paradise)

Of all the resorts, this one has the most dramatic arrival. From the airport, you’ll head to the opposite side of the island from town and board a boat bound for Dimaquiat / Dimakya island. If you’re lucky (where you board depends on the tide), you’ll board at the pier that takes you through mangroves before the short cross of open ocean. As you get closer, the blindingly white sand of the island comes into view but you won’t see any of the guest rooms which are tucked away in the forest or along secluded patches of coastline. When you reach the island, you step into the warm ocean and walk up the sand to the resort, letting the staff transport your luggage.

This is the largest of the resorts in this list and during check-in time, it feels like it. The boats are timed with flights so inevitably, you’ll arrive with other guests and if it’s before check-in time (which it almost always is), this means many people seeking shaded seats while waiting for their rooms. My advice: pack sunscreen, hat, swimwear, cover-up or sarong, and a pair of sandals or flip-flops in a day bag and when you reach the resort, change into beachwear, grab a towel from the pool, and start relaxing or go for a snorkel or swim. Beats waiting around by the bar with everyone else!

Like Two Seasons, Discovery Coron caters to those traveling with or without kids. For the little ones, colorful gifts like beach pails and toys await at check-in and there are rooms that can sleep a family of four with two children under the age of 12. For those seeking more privacy, the Sunset Deluxe and Premier Villas are more secluded and usually preferred by couples. For multi-generational families, the Oceanview Suites are a great option as those with older knees or toddling tikes can take a ground floor room while the most nimble head up the stairs to a room above. At least once a day, a tasty treat is dropped off in the room and you’ll find many personal touches throughout your stay. Some of the Garden Suites are due for an update which can make the cost feel disproportionate so if budget allows for an upgrade, I highly recommend it. Buggy service is available as many rooms are a 5-10 minute walk from the main resort area.

At the time this post is published, a second restaurant has just opened so I haven’t seen this but it’s a welcome addition during the busy season when the resort is almost always fully booked. The new restaurant offers only Filipino fare while at Firefish, the menu is a mix of Filipino and international fare. You’ll find the biggest, most diverse breakfast offerings of the Coron resorts here. As with most island resorts, the menu is seafood-heavy and while there’s no set vegetarian menu, if we tell the team in advance of your arrival, the chef will have options for the vegetarians in your party.

The offerings for sight-seeing, island hopping, snorkeling, diving, kids programs, and other activities are myriad and the beach is the best of the bunch. You’ll find plenty of people staying at the resort every day so it’s best to claim sun loungers early. With island-hopping, you can get to the classic Coron sights although the boat rides are longer than from Two Seasons. If you’re looking for dugongs, Discovery Coron and El Rio y Mar are your best bets for their proximity to known feeding grounds and dugongs have been spotted by snorkelers right off the Discovery Coron beach. Between November/December and January/February, turtles use a stretch of beach for laying eggs so if you’re lucky, you could see some hatch.

If you need a gym on holiday, there’s one here but be aware that it’s cooled by fans and large open doors and windows, no air conditioning. An oceanfront area is designated as a yoga zone and mats are available but no instruction. There is a short hiking trail through the jungle and up a hill which the staff can guide you along – best in the very early morning hours before it gets too hot.

Who is Discovery Coron best for?

Those who love a good beach, great sunsets, are happy with the possible buzz of families, enjoy the amenities of a high-end resort, and want a breakfast buffet so comprehensive you can skip lunch. Also anyone hoping to see dugongs, avid snorkelers, and those who like unique, local treats appearing in their room.

El Rio y Mar

When was the last time a resort staff welcomed you with song and sent you off with a different set of lyrics? Music is a big part of Filipino culture and the warm greeting of El Rio y Mar sets the tone for a stay. Many evenings, a local musician will serenade dinner guests so have requests ready as some have quite the repertoire. The resort is locally owned and staffed entirely by area residents so there’s a sense of pride and ownership that shines through. This is the sort of place where Filipinos and city-based expats return throughout the year for a quick getaway, knowing the service is friendly, the food is good, and the value is excellent.

This is the smallest of the three resorts and its biggest downfall is the beach, some of which disappears at high tide. Most guests are divers or snorkelers who are on and in the water during the day so it’s usually not a problem to get seats by the pool or on the beach if you’re sticking around. From some rooms, you can walk directly to the beach and into the ocean and many rooms have hammocks in the shade with ocean views so if you want to be away from the main resort area, you can still take in the sea.

Most rooms can sleep a small family using extra beds although I don’t recommend this in all rooms given size and configuration. There’s no buggy service and some rooms can be a long walk from the main area so if that’s an issue, let me know during the booking process so I can secure a room near the main area. The rooms differ greatly and some feel like traditional Filipino nipa huts – albeit with air conditioning, hot showers, and satellite wifi.

All meals are taken at the restaurant and pool bar and the menu is large enough to allow for variety even with a 5 or 6 night stay. Vegetarians are well catered for and there’s the usual mix of international and Filipino offerings for everyone. At the end of the pier is a bar ideal for sunset or grabbing something cold after a snorkeling session. And speaking of snorkeling, the reef is excellent with a great variety of marine life and healthy coral.

If you’re keeping active, there’s a steep, very short trail up the hill behind the resort that you can hike on your own and a small outdoor gym. An air-conditioned library is a nice escape from the heat (or rain) if you – or the kids – need a change of scenery.

Who is El Rio y Mar best for?

Those who love a laid-back, small resort with local character and fantastic service, supporting the community, excellent snorkeling, and enjoy a non-guided hike at the start of their day. I wouldn’t recommend this for really young children but for kids happy to snorkel, paddle, and play in the water, it can be a delightful choice.

Non-Beach Resorts

If you don’t care about sand and are happy with a good swimming pool, ocean views, a lovely room, and access to all the sights and activities of Coron, consider heading for a quiet cove. Sailors drop anchor and stay awhile, a rustic eco-hotel sits inside a lighthouse, and a luxurious resort offers spacious rooms and a great spa, far from the crowds yet a scenic boat ride away from Coron’s attractions.

Busuanga Bay Lodge

Technically, there is a small beach at this resort although it’s more a jumping off point for kayaking and paddle boarding than for sunbathing. The resort has a private beach club on a nearby island so it’s easy enough to hop on a boat and spend the day there or to stop for lunch on a day of island-hopping and snorkeling. If you’re interested in fishing, this is the best option in the area and divers have good access to many of the WWII shipwrecks with the resort’s dive centre.

The resort has a variety of room types, some of which feel like generic “beach resort” rooms and others that bring in Filipino character and design. The views are spectacular and if you’re happy to soak up the sun poolside or on your own balcony, Busuanga Bay Lodge can be an excellent choice.

Al Faro

For those who want something more rustic, environmentally-friendly, and are willing to head up a hill to get from the sea to the hotel, Al Faro is one of the most unique hotels in the Philippines. A lighthouse is the heart of the hotel with the restaurant at the base of it and a few rooms in the tower itself. Other rooms are scattered around the swimming pool and cliffside. There is no air conditioning although the eco-design means that air circulates well and the thick walls keep some of the heat out.

There’s a dive centre, yoga shala, half and full board options, and the exercise of going up and down the hill built into a stay at Al Faro. This is definitely not a hotel for everyone but for the adventurous and active, it’s a memorable part of a holiday (oh, and the sunsets are so good that sailors anchored in the bay come for a drink as the sky changes colors).

Where to Stay in Coron Town

The first time I visited Coron, it was a local town with a row of dive shops, a few simple guesthouses and hotels catering to divers and backpackers. Today, it’s a bustling destination in its own right where Filipinos and foreigners flock for easy access to gorgeous scenery, snorkeling, and diving. From vegan cafés to Spanish tapas bars, Italian-run pizzerias and Korean barbeque joints, the dining options have exploded – and yes, you can still find plenty of authentic Filipino fare.

While there are now an ever-changing roster of hotels, most are underwhelming. A few are soulless monstrosities, some are tolerable if you’re traveling with a backpack and don’t consider reliable infrastructure a necessity. A few will do just fine for a night such as Two Seasons Coron Town and Bacau Bay Resort. Among them all is one that shines: The Funny Lion Coron. I’ve stayed here a few times over the years and there’s a reason it’s often fully booked.

Rooms have everything you need and nothing you don’t so the price is reasonable. There are bicycles available for exploring town and tricycle drivers park out front to take those who prefer to let someone else do the driving. The swimming pool is great for a dip after a day of island hopping, heading up Mount Tapyas, or just taking it easy if you have a day to yourselves. As much as possible, amenities, coffee, and other items are locally sourced. If you’re around at sunset, the rooftop bar has nightly specials and draws a crowd from outside the hotel for its views, vibe, and two hot tubs.

The Funny Lion has been so successful that there are now branches in El Nido and Puerto Princesa but the staff for both are trained in Coron as this little resort sets the standard.

How much time should you allow for Coron?

Depending on your interests, it’s easy to spend 4-6 nights in this area. With flight schedules and Coast Guard restrictions on boat timings to some of the resorts, you may need to spend a night in Coron town and if that’s the case, I think it’s worth spending two. Have a day of island-hopping from town as this can mean a private experience instead of joining a hotel’s scheduled outing. Then when you’re at a resort, you can snorkel, dive, and generally relax, knowing your busy days of early starts are behind you.

If schedules allow for you to head directly to a resort, then I think four nights is the minimum you should spend and if you dive, more nights is better.

Want help booking your holiday to the Philippines and deciding where to stay, how long to stay, and when to go? Drop me an email and I’ll create a bespoke trip based on your interests.

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